I know this post was reserved for the second part of the Surviving a Gang Attack post, but since we now have averted (temporarily) an apocalyptic financial crisis, I thought I would take the opportunity to at least discuss urban survival during a financial collapse.

When we discuss urban survival we are almost always preparing for the worst case scenario. In the event of a financial collapse of government we look at runs on food supplies, mobs taking to the streets and ways in which we have to barter, if needed. What we haven’t looked at is the process by which this occurs and how to survive the process. Fortunately we already we had examples of people breaking down as a result of the crisis

Lucky we have averted a financial crisis but it allowed us to glimpse what the process could be and how long it will take until we have to start skinning squirrels for lunch. Let’s look at the potential issues we may face during the process of a financial crisis. What issues will come up before we hit the apocalypse.

Income: Almost 1 million federal employees were not paid for 16 days. If you are living check to check you will have to make some hard decisions. These 1 million employees now cannot pay someone else for services. If they can’t pay someone else those people will lose their jobs… etc, etc. How will you pay or your food, clothing and shelter?

The government governs us: We forget how much government actually governs our everyday lives. For instance, what would happen if you could not pay the mechanic who fixed your car because you were suddenly out of work because of a government financial crisis? The mechanic cannot float you because he is suffering also. He can go to court and put a mechanic’s lien on your vehicle and you would have to go to court to get it back. That means you no longer have a means of transportation. Let’s say you are divorced and pay child support. If you cannot pay you will be subject to sanctions including jail. You can, though, go to court and ask for help.

In both these cases, since the government is closed, and the courts are closed, there is no way to remedy this. Interestingly, some parts of the government were open. In the case of child support, the courts were closed so the person could not ask for help but the enforcement section was open. That means, it is possible that this person who could not pay child support because of the government shut down could be jailed because there was no place to go to ask for help.

The government will not be there to help you. If you needed a passport or needed to travel you were severely hampered during this time. Most essential services were up and running during this time. If it went on longer we can use the example of what happened during (click here) Hurricane Katrina to see what can happen when essential services are not there for you.

Okay, so now that we received this wake up call, what should you do? In order to survive a major catastrophe like a total government collapse due to a financial crisis, you will have to survive the process. Don’t wait until it happens, everyone else will be doing the same.

1. Assess all the areas that the government has a role in your life or may have a role. Do not get sucked in to the idea that some things can never happen to you. So even think about what you would do if the unlikely would happen to you. What would happen if you were arrested, how would you handle that, who can help you, etc. I was never arrested and I don’t break the law, but I know what to do and who to call if I am arrested.

2. Have some cash around so you can buy the basics (food, clothing water)

3. Keep information such as passwords and important names and phone numbers printed and in one place. I’ll emphasize print the material in the event there is no power or God forbid no internet. This includes information who to contact and where to go if you need help.